JUKI Small Business Seminar: Sell Your Sewing Skills

Sewing is an escape. We bet you love sewing, and it makes you happy when you get to work on a project! Whether you’re creating a quilt, a shirt, or maybe working on home décor, you love it when you can show off that finished product. Now imagine taking this craft you love and making some extra money. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert; sewers at any skill can do this!

The best way to begin is to put yourself out there! How? First, open up a social media page for your creations to get your work seen by new people. There are always great people out there excited to get and share new ideas! Creating a customer base, people who want to own the projects you make, is the first step to opening your little e-shop. Remember that this can be built at your rate, so just start with the basics like sharing what you make and interacting with others, and it will grow from there.

We wanted to share some fun and simple start-up ideas for those who have thought about starting their side business but didn’t know what to do

Begin a repair and alter service

A service that never goes out of style, many people know altering and repairing are less expensive than buying something new. While you may already do this for yourself, many people out there wish they could save their favorite clothing pieces and don’t know how! Offering this service is a standard beginning for many in the clothes construction sector of sewing and will always be needed.

Clothing Construction for Others

If you find yourself in love with creating and designing clothing, look into creating this for others! Many people love having unique and meaningful pieces in their wardrobe. Whether it be beautiful gowns or tops or graphic tees and embroidered sweaters, we enjoy being different. The perks of shopping from small businesses are owning something unique, and that can be you they go to!

Make Décor for the Home

As new homeowners and different styles continue to emerge, creating unique home décor pieces can be a great side business! Fluffy decorative pillows, warm duvets, quilts, or stunning curtains are essential to a comfortable home. When it comes to decorating a home, many want things that represent their style and taste. What better way than creating personalized items for that customer looking to express themselves?!

Sell your Sewing Crafts

When it’s time to let your creativity flow free, we can end up with an abundance of sewing projects leftover. While our first reaction is usually giving it to family and friends, there’s another solution, sell it! Clearing up your living space while sending out your projects is a win-win situation for you and the happy shopper who loved your art.

Maybe you just enjoy the luxury of sewing and never thought about selling your artwork. Maybe you’ve always had an idea of selling something but didn’t know where to start. What’s important is doing the craft you love! With so many options for online selling, social media marketing, and even the possibility of holding a booth at a farmer’s market, it’s essential to keep in mind that you have options. Remember, the best advice is always the same, just start.

Check out JUKI’s Business Plus program to learn more about how to become your boss at https://jukiquilting.com/business-solutions!

Longarm Training with JUKI!

Hello JUKI lovers! We know how butterfly-inducing it is to get a new machine, but what about the aftermath of learning it? That’s why we’re here! Our JUKI Longarm training is for all types of quilters to join and learn more about techniques and tricks.

Get your pencils and notebooks ready because this 3-day workshop covers basic machine maintenance, tensions, working with different threads, batting, LCD screen operation, free-motion techniques, loading a quilt, marking quilts, ruler work, couching, pantographs, optional accessories, and more on the TL-2200QVP and Miyabi J-350QVP.

We also offer the opportunity to learn about our Quilters Creative Touch software. This workshop teaches you the basics of building blocks, pantographs, including the new Power Panto, designing your quilt pattern blocks, and move on to more advanced techniques such as Quilt CAD and Pattern CAD.

We offer JUKI Longarm training throughout the year with our Education staff to help you be the best quilter you can be! Thank you to those who have joined us in the past on our training, we hope you enjoy your JUKI and come back for more in the future!

Check out this link to see other training dates and sign up information. We hope to see you soon!

JUKI Sergers and You!

MO-654DE

This month we’re celebrating JUKI sergers! Looking to celebrate with us? With so many options, we compiled a list to make your choice a little bit easier.

Our MO-654DE and MO-644D, our most popular models, are perfect for beginners joining the serger world and experts who want professional results. These overlocks have JUKI Lovers raving about their ability to tackle any projects you throw at it! Each machine comes equipped with tools and technology that make the process of creating beautiful garments easy for you.         

The MO-735 is a quiet and stable combination of overlock and coverstitch that easily sews through several layers of fabric and works on thick materials, such as denim or leather. This machine is not only a great tool for designing clothes but for creating upholstery and various home decorations as well. Create all the projects you envisioned with the MO-735!

MO-1000

If you’re looking to waste no time on threading, the MO-2000QVP and MO-1000 are perfect for you! These air-threading machines make threading a breeze. With the press of a button, the looper threads are threaded for you. Additionally, these models also come with left and right needle threaders. It really can’t get much easier than that!

For our JUKI Lovers that have handled sergers and want to grow more, we recommend our MO-100 series. Beginner-friendly but still perfect for experts, our MO machines make things easier with a turn of a dial. With lay-in threading feature, quiet and simple operation, these overlocks can offer quality finishes to your projects!

MCS-1500

Lastly, our MCS Series is perfect for those looking for a professional coverhem finish. Our MCS-1500 can you help expand your creativity with an extensive range of functions and professional-looking stitches. The 3- and 4-thread coverstitch is perfect for various applications, such as hems, sleeve cuffs, and necklines. Perfect for the beautiful garments you make!

Whatever your project, we at JUKI want to make sure you find the best fit! What machine is on your wishlist?

How Its Sewn with Nicole Chen

Nicole Chen
Asymmetrical Cotton Seersucker Dress by Nicole Chen

Hello everyone, today we’re excited to introduce a fellow JUKI Lover, Nicole Chen! Read on to learn more about Nicole’s journey on becoming a sewer in 2020 as she shares her experiences in picking up her new go-to hobby.

As a fashion retail buyer in New York and a student pursuing her fashion design certification by night, Nicole always loved the process of creating- and in her case, making clothing! During the beginning of quarantine, Nicole began documenting her sewing journey on social media including Instagram @Howitssewn and website Howitssewn.com for people to join her as she learns new techniques on each project.

“It’s my main creative outlet and makes me feel so happy and fulfilled, especially when I can see my improvement over time.”

Joining the wave of new sewers, she began by taking apart and upcycling her old clothes, giving them a new life. As she gradually improved with the help of videos, she designed and drafted original sewing patterns.

“I love the challenge and design freedom that self-drafting allows, but the process from pattern to clothing is a lot of trial and error. There is no escaping this, but each mistake teaches me something new!”

Floral Print Ruffled Linen Dress By Nicole Chen

As Nicole continued to grow, she ventured out to find inspiration for her projects. Her recommendation? Look into the Google Arts and Culture collection, an online museum created during quarantine. This application has helped people escape their homes and explore a beautiful and awe-inspiring online exhibit with artwork, images, and cultural artifacts from around the world. She explains it’s a free application allowing you access to gain inspiration from any fashion museum and art gallery they have on display. Her favorite artist to follow is Zimmermann, for their fun and flirty pieces, and Alexander McQueen, for their technically intricate clothing.

Early on in Nicole’s sewing journey, she told herself she would learn a new technique for every project she worked on as a way to challenge herself. Having an infinite amount of possibilities at her disposal, Nicole is currently learning about curves and movements of the human body and how to rein the designs she wants.

Nicole’s advice for newcomers? Sewing is 80% preparation and 20% actual sewing. Taking the time and care to prepare everything beforehand like fabrics, pattern truing, and cutting sets you up for a win!

A JUKI lover like us, Nicole invested in her first JUKI serger last year, the JUKI MO-654DE! After being recommended by friends and online sources, she claims it as one of her best sewing decisions, here’s some advice below from Nicole on how to choose the best serger for yourself.

Juki MO-654DE

“To save you the time, here are my top 3 aspects to look for in your first serger:

1. Color-Coded Threading System. The last thing you want is to spend half an hour changing your thread color. The 4-color coded system is great for visual learners and is super intuitive.

2. Adjustable Differential Feed. This is a must-have if you often work with knits and stretchy fabrics. This is the trick to create those beautiful lettuce hems!

3. High-Quality Knife Blade. This is, arguably, the most satisfying part of serging. A good blade will cut smoothly through your excess seam allowances and leave you with neatly finished edges.”

As the new year continues to bring in new sewers, we’re so excited to share with you their accomplishments. To learn more about Nicole and keep up with her quilting journey, follow her on Instagram today @HowItsSewn or her website HowItsSewn.com!